The action for gravity-fuelled mountain bike competition is heating up across the province with Whistler’s Kokanee Crankworx leading the charge kicking off on Friday July 15.

Bike Parks BC's lift-accessed resorts are hosting mountain bike competitions all summer long, giving riders of all ages the opportunity to compete alongside some of the the best athletes in the world. With festival atmospheres, bike expos and demonstrations, and exciting spectator opportunities across the province, here are the events to get into the calendar now:

July 15-24, Whistler Mountain Bike Park – Kokanee CrankworxThe eighth annual Kokanee Crankworx is presented by Whistler Blackcomb and the Whistler Mountain Bike Park. Kokanee Crankworx is the biggest annual event held in Whistler and is also the largest freeride mountain bike festival in the world. Each year the best amateur and professional freeride, downhill and slopestyle mountain bike athletes gather for a ten-day, non-stop barrage of competition and celebration. More information: ww.crankworx.com

July 16, Fernie Alpine Resort – Lost Boys LungbusterThis race isn’t gravity-fuelled; it is the ultimate challenge for hardcore climbers. This grueling race starts at Fernie’s base area and climbs to the top of the Timber Express Chairlift – 2,100 vertical feet. More information: www.skifernie.com

July 16, Panorama Mountain Village – Rockstar Bike Rodeo Winner’s EventThe winning design from the Rockstar Bike Rodeo has been chosen by freeride mountain bike pro and Kootenay local Kurt Sorge and on July 16 the new feature will be unveiled and sessioned for the first time. More information: www.panoramaresort.com

July 21-24, Panorama Mountain Village – 2011 Canadian DH Mountain Bike ChampionshipsCome out to watch the best downhill racers in Canada compete on one of the toughest courses in the nation. More information: www.panoramaresort.com

July 30 & 31, Panorama Mountain Village – Bike Demos, Gatorade Canada Cup (XC), BC Cup (DH) and Canada Cup (DH) .Panorama is thrilled to host the finals in the 20th season of the Canada Cup, the top coordinated domestic racing series in Canada providing athletes an outlet for preparation for national and international events while encouraging participation from all ages and ability levels. More information: www.panoramaresort.com

August 5 & 6, Mount Washington - Bearclaw Invitational SlopestyleCheck out the return of Darren Berrecloth and the Bearclaw Invitational Slopestyle featuring slopestyle’s best riders and a new course built by Bearclaw himself. More information: bearclawinvitational.com

August 11-13, Silverstar Bike Park – Goat Style 2011Goat Style Slopestyle is a Silver event on the FMB World Tour and will showcase some of the best riders in the world. The Goat Style Festival will feature an village expo, bike trials show by trials biker extraordinaire Ryan Leech, Camp of Champions air bag jump site and great events like Friday Night Lights, a showcase of intense mountain bike skill under the lights. More information: goatstyle.ca

August 13 & 14, Mount Washington – BC Cup Provincial ChampionshipsMount Washington and Cycling BC have teamed up to bring awesome Downhill and cross-country races to Vancouver Island. The XC Race is on Saturday and the DH Race on Sunday. More information: www.mountwashington.ca

August 19-21 Fernie Alpine Resort - NOS Fernie Gravity BikeFestThe action kicks off with the old school Dual Slalom on Friday. The Enduro Downhill takes place on Saturday and the Classic Downhill race will take place on Sunday. The kids will shine on their bikes in the Little Critters Ride on Saturday while Bike Trials demos, live music and beer gardens will keep the plaza hopping. More information: www.skifernie.com

August 28 & September 4, Mount Washington - Island Jump Jam SeriesJoin Jordie Lunn as he hosts the Island Series Jump Jam at the Mount Washington Alpine Resort Jump Park. The points series allows riders to throw down for fame and glory. More information: www.mountwashington.ca

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About Bike Parks BCFormed in 2005, Bike Parks B.C. is a partnership of British Columbia's top all season resorts, Tourism British Columbia and the Western Canada Mountain Bike Tourism Association. Bike Parks B.C.'s resort partners offer the very best facilities and services for mountain biking found anywhere in North America.

Bike Parks BC partnership is managed and coordinated by the Western Canada Mountain Bike Tourism Association (MBTA). The goal of the partnership is to create greater awareness about the many mountain biking resort destinations found in British Columbia. Each resorts offers a full range of accommodation and service options, professionally lead programs, high speed lifts, outstanding trails and fabulous mountain scenery.